Flexible tube conveyor

ABSTRACT

Flocking material is conveyed from a supply container to a portable electrostatic applicator through a flexible tube in which is reciprocated an elongated flexible impeller. The impeller includes a series of semispherical propelling elements mounted on a longitudinally extending flexible rod.

United States Patent Inventor Carl L. Inn-bu b 108 Lowry Drive, West Milton, Ohio 45383 Appl. No. 824,150 Filed May 13, I969 Patented An. 3, 1971 FLEXIBLE TUBE CONVEYOR 0 Claim, 5 Drawhg Ike.

US. Cl. 417/555, 417/416, 222/385 Int. Cl. .1041: 39/10, F04b 43/00 FieldolSeu-d 417/555; [03/178, 225 A, l 222/228, 229, 243, 385

Relate-oer Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1905 Hehel 103/80 Strong 103/1 Hardman 1031225 Taylor 1 103/1 Cushman 21/102 Harrigan 222/385 Wilber 230/235 Coopereta1.... 214/17 Reed 222/385 Bolstad 103/152 Primary Examiner-Wuhan L. Freeh Attorney-Mamba], Biebel, French & Bugg ABSTRACT: Flocking material is conveyed from a supply container to a portable electrostatic applicator through a flexible tube in which is reciprocated an eiongated flexible impeller. The impeller includes a series of semispherical propelling elements mounted on a longitudinally extending flexible rod.

Patented Aug. 3, 1971 3,597,126

mvmrofi CARL L. BRUM BAUGH A TTORIVEYS FLEXIBLE runs convsvoa BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In applying flocking material such as short lengths of nylon fibers to a prepared surface coated with adhesive, as for exampic, a vertical wall surface, it is common to employ a portable applicator which has a chamber for receiving a small quantity of flocking fibers. Flexible lead wires connect the applicator to a high voltage power supply to produce an electrostatic charge on the fibers. The charge causes the fibers to be discharged toward the surface in a substantially parallel pattern so that the ends of the fibers adhere to the adhesive surface thereby producing a flocking which has maximum density and a nap thickness substantially the same as the length of the fibers. After the supply of fibers in the applicator chamber is exhausted, it is necessary to interrupt the flocking operation and refill the chamber with another supply of fibers.

Frequently, the operator of the applicator is standing on a ladder or scaffold and it is necessary for him to step down from the scaffold each time the hopper requires refilling. Thus it has been found that during the flocking of a large area, there is considerable time required just for the refilling operations. Furthermore, during each refilling operation, the adhesive continues to dry or set with the result that progressively fewer fibers adhere to the surface thereby producing a flocking of nonuniform density. Moreover, the extra weight added to the portable applicator by the hopper or container defining the chamber causes considerable strain on the operator's ann supporting the applicator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a flexible tube conveyor which is ideally suited for progressively delivering flocking material from a supply container to a portable electrostatic applicsting gun or device. It is to be understood, however, that the conveyor of the invention is not limited to handling only flocking fibers, but may also be used for transporting other solid materials, as for example, granular or powdered material. As a primary feature, the present invention provides a conveyor for progressively transporting a material from a supply source or container to a portable applicator or discharge device whereby it is unnecessary to interrupt the application or discharge of the material at periodic intervals.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a conveyor includes a flexible tube of circular cross section and formed by spirallywindin'g a semirigid intcrfitting plastic extrusion so that the inner surface of the tube has a spiral slot or groove forming generally radial'surfaces. An

elongated flexible impeller extends within the tube and includes a series of semispherical propelling elements each having an annular radial surface facing in the desired direction of flow of material through the tube. The propelling elements are connected by an elongated flexible plastic rod which extends through the center of each element.

One end of the flexible tube is secured to a hopper or container which receives a supply of material to be conveyed, and the other end of the tube is attached to a portable applicator or discharge device. One end portion of the impeller extends through the supply container and is connected to a poweroperated reciprocating drive, and the other end of the innpelle r is attached to a tension spring within the discharge device. In accordance with another embodiment, the impeller is reciprocated by intermittently energizing one or more annular coils mounted on the tube surrounding corresponding mag= netic elements forming part of the impeller.

; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I u a somewhat schematic elevational view, in part section, of flocking apparatus including a conveyor constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in part axial section of the conveyor shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the conveyor tube shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a radial section taken generally on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 2 of a conveyor constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I shows flocking apparatus which is constructed in accordance with the invention and which generally includes a portable base Itl supporting a hopperlike container I2 adapted to receive a supply of flocking material M, as for example, nylon fibers each having a length of approximately one-eighth inch. A cover 13 is mounted on the container I2 for maintaining the humidity of the flocking material M sub 7 stantially constant.

In accordance with the present invention, a flexible tube conveyor 15 includes a flexible semirigid tube 16 formed by spiraily winding an extruded interlitting plastic element having a cross-sectional configuration defined by a U-shaped portion 17 (FIG. 3) integrally connected to a tongue portion 18. One manufacturer of the tube 16 is Dayco Corp. located in Dayton, Ohio. The inner fitting connection of the portions 17 and 18 of the tube 16 as it is spirally wound provides for substantial flexibility of the tube and also defines a spiral slot or groove 19 within the inner and outer surfaces of the tube I6.

The inlet end of the tube 16 is connected by a fitting 21 to the container 12 so that the inlet is concentric with a circular opening 22 formed within the container adjacent the bottom wall. The outlet or discharge end of the tube 16 is connected to a portable electrostatic applicating device or gun 25 which is connected by lead wires 26 to a high voltage power supply (not shown).

An elongated flexible impeller 30 extends within the tube 16 and includes cries of longitudinally spaced semispherical elements 32preferably formed of a rigid plastic material. Each element 32 includes a that radially extending annular surface 33 which faces toward the applicating guli 25 and adjoins a se'mlspherical surface 34. The outer diameter of each element 32 is slightly smaller than the inside'diameter of the tube 16 to define an annular passage 35 (FIG. 4) when the elements 32 are concentric with the tube 16.

An elongated rod 36, preferably formed of a flexible plastic material such as nylon, extends through the center of each elemeat 32. One end of the rod 36 extends through the lower portion of the container 12, through a bearing 37 and is connected to a rod 38 slidalily mounted within a bearing 39 secured to the base 10. A variable speed motor 40 is also mounted on the base 10, and a circular drive plate 41 is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. An arm 42 has one end pivotally connected tothe rod 38 and an opposite end eccentrically connected to the plate 41 by a pin shah 43extend ing into one of a series of holes 44 within the plate 41. The holes are located at different radial distances from the axis of the motor shaft to provide for selectively changing the amplitude of the reciprocating movement of the rod 38 and the impeller 30. 'I'heopposite end of the impeller rod 36 is connected to a tension spring 45 which is located in the applicating gun 25.

A number of the impeller elements 32 are mounted on the rod 368 thereby the lower portion of the container 12 so that when the impeller 30 is reciprocst'ed at a predetermined speed, as for example, 2,000 cycles per minute, the flocking material 'lvl flows into the inlet of the conveyor tube 16 and is rapidly advanced by the elements 32 in a-step-by step manner through the tube 16 to the appliceting gun 25. When the flocking fibers are exposed to the electrostatic charge, they are oriented in a substantially parallel pattern, and the ends of the fibers are attracted to the adhesive-coated surface S thereby forming a thick dense nap having a thickness substantially equal to the length ofthe fibers.

While the drive for the impeller 30 provide a return stroke which is faster than the forward or can be controlled according to the rate at which the material is applied.

to employ the for example, for

fibers, it is within the conveyor for transporting other materials, as transporting powdered or granular materials.

The cooperation between the impeller elements 32 and the inner surface of the tube 16 assures that the material is positively advanced in a step-by-step manner. That is, the annular flat surfaces 33 of the While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute surface formed by cal surfaces.

What I claim is:

3. A conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein said tube comprises a spirally wound interfitting element defining said internal surfaces.

said tube in close proximity with said coil. 5 A conveyor as defined in claim 1 includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged propelling ele- 6. A conveyor as defined in claim 5 wherein said flexible means connecting said elements comprises a longitudinally exportion of each said element.

7. A conveyor as defined in claim 5 wherein each said element has a generally semispherical configuration with an annular said propelling surface.

8. A conveyor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a Patent No.

Inventor(s) Carl L. Brumbaugh Dated August 3, 1971 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the "2,713,173" "S thereby" Signed (SEAL) Attest:

cover sheet [56] in the should read 2,731,173

should read within and sealed this 12th day EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer References Cited,

Column 2, line 65 of September 1972.

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60375'PU9 U B GDVEQNHUH Pumtmn OFFICE I959 o- 366-3J4 

1. An improved conveyor for transporting material, comprising an elongated flexible tube of circular cross section and having an inlet end and a discharge end, an elongated flexible impeller of circular cross section and extending within said tube and cooperating with the inner surface of said tube to define an annular passageway therebetween, said impeller including means for advancing material in said passageway in a step-by-step manner in response to reciprocating movement of said impeller, and power-operated means for reciprocating said impeller within said tube.
 2. A conveyor as defined in claim 1 wherein said tube includes means forming generally radially extending and longitudinal spaced internal circumferential surfaces to aid in resisting movement of the material with said impeller during the return stroke of said impeller.
 3. A conveyor as defined in claim 2 wherein said tube comprises a spirally wound interfitting element defining said internal surfaces.
 4. A conveyor as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for reciprocating said impeller comprises at least one annular solenoid coil mounted on said tube, and said flexible impeller includes means forming a magnetic armature located within said tube in close proximity with said coil.
 5. A conveyor as defined in claim 1 wherein said impeller includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged propelling elements each having a generally radial propelling surface adjoining a generally tapered surface, and flexible means connecting said elements.
 6. A conveyor as defined in claim 5 wherein said flexible means connecting said elements comprises a longitudinally extending flexible rod extending generally through the center portion of each said element.
 7. A conveyor as defined in claim 5 wherein each said element has a generally semispherical configuration with an annular said propelling surface.
 8. A conveyor as defined in claim 1 in combination with a supply container for receiving said flocking material, said tube having an inlet end and an outlet end, means connecting said inlet to said container, means for directing material from said container into said inlet, and means connected to said outlet for dispensing the material conveyed through said tube. 